Last Thursday’s graffiti incident, outside Queenstown Library, is the latest incident in a string of ongoing anti-Pride-type movements, mayor Glyn Lewers says.
A stencil was used to spray-paint ‘‘child grooming’’ on the footpath outside the library, sometime overnight last Wednesday.
Police inquiries are ongoing.
But Lewers tells Mountain Scene, since late last year there have been multiple requests to the library to ‘‘remove books’’, trolling on social
media, ripping down of posters, and a petition, all largely aimed at the ‘Rainbow Reading’ sessions, run by library staff.
He attended one of the special reading sessions last Friday — noting the room full of kids, all with parents or caregivers, was the toughest crowd he’s been in front of so far — and fails to see what people are taking issue with.
“I can’t see [a problem with] singing Incy Wincy Spider and reading books to them about friendship, inclusivity, and acknowledging people are all different and [teaching them] kindness, respect and care.
‘‘I’m happy for different views to be expressed, but when you’re starting to try to stop other people engaging and trying to take their
rights and choices away, you’re crossing the line for me,’’ he says.
